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Johannesburg - Former Lions captain Wikus van Heerden will make his long awaited return to the Johannesburg side's starting line-up for Friday's Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Blues at Coca-Cola Park.
Van Heerden will join current captain Franco van der Merwe in the second row ahead of George Earle.
In the only other change to the side that is still searching for their first win in more than a year, Van Heerden's place on the bench will be filled by former Blue Bulls utility forward Dries van Schalkwyk.
Lions team:
15. Jaco Taute, 14. Lionel Mapoe, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Doppies La Grange, 11. Michael Killian, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Warren Whiteley, 7. Josh Strauss, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco van der Merwe (captain), 4. Wikus van Heerden, 3. Patrick Cilliers, 2. Bandise Maku, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg.
Substitutes: Martin Bezuidenhout, Kevin Buys, Dries van Schalkwyk, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Burton Francis, 22 James Kamana.
Van Heerden will join current captain Franco van der Merwe in the second row ahead of George Earle.
In the only other change to the side that is still searching for their first win in more than a year, Van Heerden's place on the bench will be filled by former Blue Bulls utility forward Dries van Schalkwyk.
Lions team:
15. Jaco Taute, 14. Lionel Mapoe, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Doppies La Grange, 11. Michael Killian, 10. Elton Jantjies, 9. Jano Vermaak, 8. Warren Whiteley, 7. Josh Strauss, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco van der Merwe (captain), 4. Wikus van Heerden, 3. Patrick Cilliers, 2. Bandise Maku, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg.
Substitutes: Martin Bezuidenhout, Kevin Buys, Dries van Schalkwyk, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Burton Francis, 22 James Kamana.
